“I am just going to be honest with you – if you have the mindset that alcohol makes everything more fun and enjoyable, the chances of you staying sober while traveling are not high. For me, one of the keys to staying sober was to FLIP my perspective on alcohol. Society has made us believe that drinking alcohol is fun and vital to making our experiences more enjoyable. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is simply not true. I have had more meaningful and memorable experiences while being sober than I ever had while drinking alcohol. With drinking habits like mine, alcohol would have COMPLETELY destroyed my entire time in Europe. To travel around Europe completely sober, taking my surroundings in without an ounce of alcohol to fog my mind, was the most magical experience I have ever had and I will never forget it.” - PeanutButterandJackie.com

Day 25: Teetotal Travel Tips!

Welcome to Day 25

One of my favorite things to do is to plan a road trip over the weekend - to explore our beautiful state and surrounding areas.

And when I first stopped drinking, I thought I would probably never go to a place like Las Vegas again for a special trip.

I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't gamble. What would I possibly do in Sin City if I didn't enjoy any of those things?

Image courtesy of Sober In Vegas

Image courtesy of Sober in Vegas

Then I discovered Sober in Vegas on Instagram. Through blog posts and images, she shares the unlimited possibilities of exploring Las Vegas and the great state of Nevada as a complete and total teetotaler.

From outdoor adventures to magic shows and art exhibits to nature trails, there truly is something for everyone. And I'm so grateful to Kim at Sober in Vegas for sharing that part of her community.

Today, she shares some tips on how to enjoy your travels, road trips and more while pursuing a sober lifestyle.

Travel is great and fun and for some of us, unavoidable. That doesn’t mean that you have to say yes when you feel no. Bachelorette parties, sorority sister meet ups, boozy (and you) girls weekend with your old drinking buddies, weddings. Send a gift if appropriate and stay home. Nobody really wants a sober person at these events anyway, don’t kid yourself. I don’t care if it’s your stepsister’s bachelorette, you do not have to go. Sorry, that last line was just for me.

— Rebecca Rush

TIP 1: PLAN AHEAD. In a place like Las Vegas where alcohol is everywhere, even the strong can feel weak. By knowing ahead of time where you're going to dine or explore (and what alcohol-free options they have) you've preemptively cut out so much anxiety and temptation.

Also don't be afraid to call a restaurant ahead of time and ask what their alcohol-free options are--especially the higher end places. According to Kim, Las Vegas is a town dedicated to customer satisfaction and often times they are eager to accommodate.

TIP 2: BE AN EARLY BIRD. Kim’s tip for you - if you're staying on The Strip is to go to bed early and get up early. “Late nights in casinos can be rough, and if you have any social anxiety, it can be hard.”

Early in the mornings the casinos tend to be much less populated, and if you're walking outdoors on The Strip it's even more sparsely populated," says Kim. "Seven in the morning is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors on The Strip hangover free!

Worth noting: because I’m not hungover, I often wake up at 5am or 6am and hit the sites before the tourists. Major sobriety bonus. 